Hilliard, Ohio-based Advanced Drainage System Inc. recently opened a $65 million engineering and technology center that is the largest in the world dedicated to stormwater product design, materials science, including recycled plastics, and manufacturing processes.
The focus of the 110,000-square-foot facility is to develop new solutions to manage water and protect communities, according to ADS President and CEO Scott Barbour.
ADS officials point to the increase in frequency and intensity of storms as driving the need to develop products that help prevent floods, recharge aquifers, improve food security, mitigate the risk of water scarcity and ensure quality of life.
"Bringing our team of engineers, scientists and technicians together in this state-of-the-art facility allows new opportunities for collaboration and innovation in how we design and develop products, materials and manufacturing technologies to meet the stormwater management needs of customers and communities," Barbour said in a news release.
Founded in 1966, ADS products made from high density polyethylene and polypropylene to manage stormwater and onsite septic wastewater. The company incorporates recycled content to create a circular economy and reduce the carbon footprint of water infrastructure.
With annual sales of $2.2 billion, ADS is the fourth largest pipe, profile and tubing producer in North America, according to Plastics News' latest ranking.
The publicly traded company also is the second largest recycler. ADS products are extruded from some 543 million pounds of recyclable plastics pulled annually from the waste stream.
At the ADS Engineering and Technology Center, different labs are focused on materials science, product lifecycles, real-world conditions via a 90,000 gallon, closed-loop recyclable water system, hydraulics that supports water treatment and filtration, and technology for manufacturing, controls and engineering prototyping.
ADS received tax credits for the project from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. In return, the company agreed to invest at least $10.8 million, retain 322 existing jobs in Hilliard, and create 200 new jobs that would result in $20 million of new payroll to the state.